LONDON – President Asif Ali Zardari is set to return to Pakistan on September 8 after shortening his stay in London amid growing political debate over the proposed creation of new provinces and administrative units.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) sources said that President Zardari had initially planned to remain in the British capital for another three to four days.
However, he has decided to return earlier to address the evolving political situation and developments surrounding proposals for administrative restructuring.
The issue of creating new provinces has gained renewed attention following Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s proposal to divide Pakistan into 12 to 15 provinces. He has also called for a broad political dialogue on restructuring the country’s administrative framework.
The proposal has faced opposition from the PPP, a key coalition partner of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The party has particularly rejected any proposal to divide Sindh, maintaining that the creation of a new province requires constitutional procedures, political consensus and public support.
President Zardari arrived in London on September 1 after spending five days in Austria on a private visit. He was accompanied by former federal minister Dr Asim Hussain and Senator Saleem Mandviwalla.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari subsequently joined their father in London.
According to sources, both are expected to remain in the UK for approximately another week and will not accompany the president on his return to Pakistan.
Bilawal reportedly travelled to London from Paris after spending several days in Austria, while Bakhtawar arrived with her husband, Mahmood Chaudhry, and their children.
The family’s stay in Austria also triggered speculation on social media and in some reports that President Zardari had travelled there in connection with a possible marriage proposal for Bilawal involving a prominent European family.
Bilawal later rejected the reports, clarifying that neither an engagement nor a marriage had taken place.
He also said he did not know anyone referred to as “Princess Gloria” and maintained that any decision concerning his personal life would be announced by his family.
